Adapter unit for converting straightline handle motion to rotary movement



p 1965 c. E. GRYCTKO 3 206,585

! ADAPTER UNIT FOR CONVERTING STRAIGHT-LINE HANDLE MOTION TO ROTARY MOVEMENT Filed Jan. 29, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 6,944 5. ze crka Sept. 14, 1965 c. E. GRYCTKO 3,205,535

ADAPTER UNIT FOR CONVERTING STRAIGHT-LINE HANDLE MOTION To ROTARY MOVEMENT INVENTOR. 27 E. 3. 5. eycrxa Sept. 14, 1965 c. E. GRYCTKO 3,205,

LINE HANDLE ADAPTER UNIT FOR CONVERTING STRAIGHT MOTION TO ROTARY MOVEMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 29, 1962 direction.

United States Patent 0 3,206,585 ADAPTER UNIT FOR CONVERTING STRAIGHT- LINE HANDLE MOTTON TO ROTARY MOVE- MENT Carl E. Gryctko, Haddon Heights, N.J., assignor to I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 169,438 13 Claims. (Cl. 200172) This invention relates to an operating handle adapter unit, and more particularly, to such a unit to be externally mounted on a switching device to convert straight line handle motion to rotational movement.

A vast majority of the many types of switching devices presently available are constructed in such a manner that the movement of the operating handle is in a straight line In commercial applications, it is frequently desirable to mount the devices with rotational motion of the handle. This is particularly true of electrical devices such as circuit breakers or interrupters. Accordingly such devices must be provided with an adapter means to enable the straight line movement of the handle to be converted to rotational movement.

A variety of arrangements are presently available in the art for effecting such a conversion of handle movement. One type of arrangement is that shown by U.S. Patent Number 2,866,864, entitled Closing Mechanism, Molded Cased Breakers, to G. J. Giessner et al., issued December 30, 1958, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. That patent shows an arrangement whereby a circuit breaker having straight line handle motion is inserted in an enclosure having a special cover containing a rotary handle and a motion intercoupler. The cover is hinged to the enclosure and when the cover is closed the intercoupler on that cover will engage the circuit breaker handle to permit the requisite conversion of motion. It will be noted however, that this arrangement requires a special enclosure cover and a number of intricately assembled specially formed parts.

Another arrangement of the prior art is that illustrated in U.S. Patent Number 2,741,684, entitled Operating Handle Adapter, to I. C. Brumfield, issued April 10, 1956, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. That patent shows an adapter unit to be mounted directly to a straight line motion circuit breaker to permit such a circuit breaker handle to be operatively engaged by a rotary handle attached to the enclosure cover. The composite arrangement of the rotary handle and the adapter unit illustrated by the patent also requires a special enclosure cover and a number of intricately assembled specially formed parts.

Other arrangements whereby a rotary handle is incorporated within a circuit breaker having straight line contact throwing movement are illustrated by co-pending U.S. application Serial Number 706,186, filed December 30, 1957, entitled Rotary Handle Mechanism, in the name of E. T. Platz, now U.S. Patent No. 3,024,664; and

cially formed parts.

The instant invention is an improvement over the arrangements of the prior art in that it is simply assembled of inexpensively formed parts and may be easily attached onto an enclosed circuit breaker. Almost all of the parts are planar and may be stamped. out of a single sheet of metal. The few remaining parts are either standard or 7 3,206,585 Patented Sept. 14, 1965 easily machined from standard parts. The unit is assembled in a very simple manner such as the insertion of two lugs in corresponding slots and their securing by press-fit members or clinching.

The adapter unit of the instant invention is constructed to be easily mounted on the external surface of an existing straight line motion switching device installed in a standard enclosure. Although illustrated with a circuit breaker, the instant invention may be attached to other types of switching devices. The overall dimensions of the unit are sufiiciently limited so as not to appreciably increase the depth of the required enclosure. The unit may be alternatively mounted for either right or left handed operation of the rotatably movable handle.

In addition, my adapter unit gives a visual indication as to whether its associated circuit breaker is ON or OFF, and whether that circuit breaker is adapted for right or left handed operation.

Briefly, my invention is integrated within a simply formed housing unit which is bolted to the front surface of an existing circuit breaker. The housing unit has a rotating handle at its exterior, or upper, surface. This rotating handle is attached to a rotary to straight line motion intercoupler, which comprises a number of parallel arranged flat rotary plates and moves as a unit therewith. The bottommost rotary plate has an engaging projection to translate the rotary handle movement to the straight line movement of the circuit breaker handle via a translating plate. The adapter unit handle is attached to the rotary plates by vertically disposed planarf lugs inserted in aligned openings of the rotary plates. This unitary assembly is maintained by press-fit (or clinched) braces inserted in grooves provided in the lugs. The operating handle, which is also preferably of planar construction, is inserted in cooperating openings at the top of the lugs and maintainedthere by a spring and cooperating notches in the lugs. It is thus seen that the adapter unit comprises a number of planar members held together solely with press-fit planar members and a single spring. Preferably all the planar members may be stamped out of the same sheet of metal, thereby effecting a considerable saving in manufacturing costs.

It is an additional preferred feature of the inventio to permit the rotation of the operating handle about the lugs to a flat position when not in use. This permits the panelboard door to be placed closer to the front surface of the circuit breaker and thereby decreases the necessary depth of the enclosure.

The engaging projection of the bottommost rotary plate is inserted in an elongated opening of the translating plate. This plate slides along the forward surface of the circuit breaker in the direction of its straight line handle movement. The translating plate has another opening to receive the circuit breaker handle. This plate is so intercoupled via the engaging projection that the rotational movement of the handle and rotary plates will cause this plate to translate in a straight line motion, thereby effecting switching of the circuit breaker. The translating plate is maintained in proper operating position by the combined action of (1) the rotary plate engaging projection and the bottom surface of the lugs bearing down on its upper surface, and (2) the forward surface of the circuit breaker exerting an upward force, and (3) the adapter unit housing restricting its rotational motion. To change the unit for right or left handed operation it is merely necessary to change the position of the translating plate openings relative to the circuit breaker handle and re-orientate the adapter unit handle accordingly. Markings are provided on one of the rotary plates which cooperate with windowed openings in the housing to indicate the mode of opera assignee of the instant invention.

Q) tion of the circuit breaker. Additional openings may be provided for the reception of a locking device, such as a padlock, to prevent an unauthorized change in position.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved adapter to convert the straight line motion of a switch handle to rotary motion.

Another object is to provide an improved adapter unit for performing such movement conversion in an integral unit directly attached to the external housing of an enclosed circuit breaker.

Still another object is to provide an improved electrical switch handle movement adapter unit consisting primarily of planar parts which may be stamped out of a single sheet of metal.

A further object is to provide an improved integral unit for performing the requisite handle movement conversion which is principally assembled of press-fit members to permit rapid and inexpensive assembly.

A still further object is to provide an electrical switch straight line to rotary movement handle adapter which is operable in a right or left handed direction.

Still another object is to provide a circuit breaker straight line to rotary movement converter unit operable in a right or left hand direction with visual markings to indicate the mode of operation of the circuit breaker handle position.

A still further object is to provide an electrical switch straight line to rotary movement handle adapter which does not appreciably increase the depth or otherwise modify the requirements of the panelboard enclosure.

Yet another object is to provide a circuit breaker straight line to rotary movement converter unit which may be locked to maintain a particular handle position.

These as well as other objects of the instant invention shall readily be apparent after reading the following description of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of the adapter unit of the instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the instant invention attached to a circuit breaker and shown in the right handed OFF position.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of FIGURE 2, but showing the handle dotted, as rotated to its fiat position.

FIGURE 4 corresponds to FIGURE 3 in the right handed ON position.

FIGURE 5 corresponds to FIGURE 3 in the left handed OFF position.

FIGURE 6 corresponds to FIGURE 3 in the left handed ON position.

Referring to FIGURES 1-3, circuit breaker 10 may be of the type shown in US. Patent No. 2,648,742, entitled Arc Chute Plate, to W. H. Edmunds, issued August 11, 1953, or copending US. application No. 108,812, filed May 9, 1961, now US. Patent No. 3,155,802, entitled U-Shaped Cradle for Circuit Breaker in the name of E. R. Wortmann, both assigned to the Circuit breaker 10 contains a handle 11, mounted to its forward surface 12 and movable in a straight line motion between an ON and OFF position. This circuit breaker also has a number of openings 13 extended therethrough at the ends of its forward surface and a raised platform 14 surrounding handle 11. Trip adjustments 15 are also provided at forward surface 12.

Adapter unit is attached to circuit breaker 10 by means of bolts 21 extending through openings 13. Bolts 21 are fastened at the rear of circuit breaker 10 to securably attach the adapter unit 28' thereto. Although nuts 22 are illustratively shown, an installed panelboard unit would preferably have bolts 21 threadably engaged with cooperating openings of the breaker mounting block or pan (not shown). Adapter unit 20 contains a mounting pan Or housing 23 and a number of circular parallel plates 2426 attached thereto. Each of these plates 2426 contains diametrically opposed rectangular openings 27 and 28. When assembled, the plates 24-26 are disposed one on top of the other with openings 27 and 28 in overlapped alignment. These openings are dimensioned to receive the forward projection of lugs 29 and 38, respectively. Circular plate 24 is rotata-bly housed at the underside of housing 23. Circular plate 26 is positioned at the top-side of housing 23 and circular plate 25 is sandwiched between plates 24 and 2d, coplanar with the top of housing 23. Housing 23 has a circular opening 31 slightly in excess of the outer diameter of plate 25. The dimensional relationship between opening 31 and plate 25 will serve to maintain the position of secured plates 2426 with respect to housing 23, and will permit these plates to rotate in planes parallel to the top of housing 23. A planar handle 32 is attached to lugs 29 and 30 by means of openings 33 in the lugs. These openings receive projecting portions 35 and 36, respectively, of handle 32. Adjacent to handle projection 35 is a cooperating projection 37 so positioned so as to receive spring 38 there between. Spring 38 will maintain handle 32 on lugs 29 and 3t). Lugs 23 and 30 are maintained in position by braces 39 press-fit to narrowed section 48 of lugs 29 and 3t). Lugs 29 and 30 each contain an upper notch 41 to receive projections 34 and 42 of handle 32. The width of notches 41 approximates the width of handle 32 thereby preventing relative movement between handle 32 and lugs 29 and 30. It is thus seen that handle 32 and plates 2426 will rotate as a unit about the center of these vertically arranged rotary plates.

A projection 43 attached to the bottom surface of plate 24 extends towards a planar translating plate 45. Projecting member 43 contains a narrowed engaging projection 44 to be inserted in elongated opening 46 of translating member 4-5. Projection 43 is preferably cylindrical and may be machined at one of its ends to form shouldered projection 44. Its other end is also machined to form a projection to be press-fit or riveted in plate 24. Lugs 29 and 38 extend below plate 24 the same distance as the non-engaging portion of projection 43 (i.e. that length corresponding to the wide diameter portion of projection 43). These downwardly extending portions of lugs 29 and 30 and member 43 maintain the planar spacing between members 24 and and forces translating plate 45 to bear against circuit breaker handle platform 14. Translating plate 45 contains a second opening 47 which received handle 11 of circuit breaker 1t). Rotational movement of handle 32 will cause plates 24-26 to rotate as a unit therewith. Rotation of plate 24 will cause engaging projections 44 to translate in slot 46 in such a manner as to effect straight line movement of translating plate 45. This straight line movement is translated to operating handle 11 via opening 47, effecting handle switching. During the translating period, member 45 bears against the side 48 of housing 23 to prevent rotational movement of translating plate 45. Translating plate 45 is notched at St to form feet 51 which translate along housing side 48 or 4?. (The orientation of trans lating plate 45 with respect to housing sides 48 and 49 determines right or left handed operation, as will be set forth below.) The feet 51 serve to minimize the frictional engagement between translating plate 45 and housing side 48 or 49. During the translation period the bottom surface of plate 45 will slide along platform 14 of circuit breaker 18.

Housing 23 is provided with a windowed opening 52 which cooperates with markings 53-56 on rotary plate 24 to indicate the position of circuit breaker handle 11. Markings 53 and 54 correspond to right handed operation of the adapter unit handle 32. Likewise markings 55 and 56 correspond to left handed operation of adapter unit handle 32.

Referring to FIGURES 3 and 4 it is seen that to operate adapter unit handle 32 in the right handed mode, translating plate 45 is inserted on circuit breaker handle 11 with the elongated slot 46 closest to housing side 48. The housing mounted assembly of rotary planar members 24, 25, 26 is then rotated so that projection 44 extends into slot 46. It is then seen that the conversion from right-handed to left-handed operation merely requires the turning about of a single translating planar member 45 and the rotation of the handle rotatable subassembly, without disassembly thereof. In the lefthanded position marking 53 will appear in window 52 when the unit is in the OFF position. Similarly marking 54 will appear in Window 52 when the handle is in the ON position.

. Referring to FIGURES 5 and 6, to operate the adapter unit in the left handed mode, translating plate 45 is inserted on circuit breaker handle 11 with slot 46 disposed closest to housing side 49. Markings 55 and 56 perform the indicating function corresponding to markings 53 and 54, respectively, in the right handed mode of operation. To visually indicate the right or left handed modes of operation auxiliary markings may be placed next to ON- OFF markings 53-56 to indicate right or left handed operation. This may preferably be an R or L as shown, or an arrow to indicate the direction of rotation.

Once the adapter unit handle 32 has been moved to a particular position it is oftentimes desirable to prevent subsequent unauthorized switching. This preferable safety feature may be provided by additional openings 57 and 62 in housing 23 which are positioned to receive a padlock (not shown). Openings in plate 24, such as 58 through 61 register with housing opening 57 at the various handle positions. The insertion of a padlock shank through the corresponding housing openings (57 and 60) and one of the plate openings (58 through 61) will thereby prevent rotationof the adapter unit to another position.

In the particular type of circuit breaker chosen to illustrate my invention trip adjustments are provided at the front surface 12 of the circuit breaker. Openings 63 are provided in housing 23 to provide access to this adjustment. Housing 23 also contains openings 64 through which the attaching bolts 21 are inserted.

To reduce the depth of the required panelboard enclosure, it is an additional feature of my invention to permit handle 32 to be rotated generally parallel to the top surface of circuit breaker 10 when not in use. This is accomplished by merely pushing the handle forward against the bias of spring 38 to disengage projections 34 and 42 from the lug notches 41. Handle 32 may then be pivotally rotated ninety degrees right or left about projections 35, 36 in lug openings 33, as shown dotted in FIGURE 3. In this horizontal position spring 38 will bias handle 32 backward, engaging in a locked position the undersides of projections 34 and 42 and the sides of lugs 29, 39. Conversely to re-position handle 32 to its operating position, the handle is moved forward against the spring 38 bias and rotated back.

All the aforementioned planar members 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 39 (2) and 45 are preferably of the same thickness permitting them to be stamped out of a single sheet of metal. Housing 23 is also simply formed of a stamped member which is then bent into shape and welded at its four corners. Thus, it is seen that the adapter unit consists primarily of stamped parts in an inexpensively constructed housing. The only additional members are the spring 38, which is of a standard commercial variety, and cylindrical projector 43 which may be easily machined from standard stock. Consequently the manufacture of the individual components is quite inexpensive compared to the other arrangements in the art. Also, assembly is simply and inexpensively performed. Projection 43 is machine press-fit into plate 24 to form an integral unit. The rotary members are assembled by lugs 29 and 30 and retained press-fit brace 39. Handle 32 is then placed in lug openings 33 and spring 38 inserted to secure the handle. Likewise installation may be readily accomplished by merely placing translating plate 45 over the circuit breaker handle 11, placing engaging projection 44 in slot 46 and bolting the unit 2% to circuit breaker 19 with four bolts 21. Hence, my invention provides an adapter unit of simplified and inexpensive manufacture, assembly and installation.

Although I have here described a preferred embodiment of my novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, and I, therefore prefer to be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion; said adapter unit composed of a housing, a motion intercoupler, and, a rotatably movable operating handle; said housing containing means for rigidly securing said adapter unit directly to an external surface of a switching device; said motion intercoupler containing first and second rotary planar members, and a translating planar member; said first rotary planar member rotatively mounted to said housing; said rotatably movable operating handle connected to said second rotary planar member; said translating planar member having a first and second opening; said first rotary planar member having a projecting operator secured thereto and in engagement with said first opening of said translating planar member; said translating and rotary planar members in respective parallel relationship; said second opening of said translating planar member engageable with a switching device handle having straight line motion; said translating planar member being positioned to have its motion governed and limited to straight line linear motion Within its plane by said housing and an external surface of a switching device; and a plurality of planar lugs connecting said rotary planar members to said rotatively movable operating handle.

2. An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion; said adapter unit composed of a housing, a motion intercoupler, and, a rotatably movable operating handle; said housing containing means for rigidly securing said adapter unit directly to an external surface of a switching device; said motion intercoupler containing first, second and third rotary planar members, and a translating planar member; said first rotary planar member rotatively mounted to said housing; said rotatably movable operating handle connected to said second rotary planar member; said third rotary planar member positioned to maintain the rotating parts of said intercoupler within a first opening of said housing; said translating planar member having a first and second opening; and first rotary planar member having a projecting operator secured thereto and in engagement with said first opening of said translating planar member; said translating and rotary planar members in respective parallel relationship; said second opening of said translating planar member engageable with a switching device handle having straight line motion; said translating planar member being positioned to have its motion governed and limited to straight line linear motion within its plane by said housing and an external surface of a switching device; and a plurality of planar lugs connecting said rotary planar members to said rotatively movable operating handle.

3. An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion, as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lugs projecting from said first rotary planar member to bear against said translating member; and said rotatably movable operating handle being planar and including projections in engagement with cooperating openings of said lugs.

4. The adapter unit of claim 2 wherein all of said planar parts are of substantially the same thickness for stamping from sheet material.

5. An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion; said adapter unit composed of a housing, a motion intercoupler, and, a rotatably movable operating handle; said housing being adapted to be rigidly secured to an external surface of a switching device; said motion intercoupler containing first, second and third rotary planar members, and a translating planar member; said first rotary planar member rotatively mounted to said housing; said rotatably movable operating handle connected to said second rotary planar member; said third rotary planar member positioned to maintain the rotating parts of said intercoupler within a first opening of said housing; said translating planar member having a first and second opening; said first rotary planar member hav ing a projecting operator secured thereto and in engagement with said first opening of said translating planar member; said translating and rotary planar members in respective parallel relationship; said second opening of said translating planar member egageable with a switching device handle having straight line motion; said translating planar member being positioned to have its motion governed and limited to straight line linear motion Within its plane by said housing and an external surface of a switching device; a plurality of planar lugs connecting said rotary planar members to said rotatively movable operating handle; said lugs projecting from said first rotary planar member to bear against said translating member; said rotatably movable operating handle being planar and shaped to engage cooperating openings of said lugs; said lugs secured to said intercoupler by planar braces and said rotatably movable operating handle secured to said cooperating lug openings by a single spring, thereby eliminating screws in the assembly of said adapter unit.

6. The adapter unit of claim 5 wherein all of said planar parts are of substantially the same thickness and stamped from a single sheet of material.

7. An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said lugs secured to said intercoupler by planar braces press fit into cooperating regions thereof; and said housing being formed from a planar member.

8. An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion; said adapter unit composed of a housing, a motion intercoupler, and, a rotatably movable operating handle; said housing containing means for rigidly securing said adapter unit directly to an external surface of a switching device having an ON and OFF position; said housing having a first and second opening; said motion intercoupler containing, first, second and third rotary planar members, and a translating planar member, said first rotary planar member rotatively mounted to said housing; said rotatably movable operating handle connected to said second rotary planar member; said third planar member positioned to maintain the rotating parts of said intercoupler within said first opening of said housing; one of said rotary planar members having a set of markings operatively positioned with respect to said second opening of said housing to indicate the ON or OFF position of a switching device; said translating planar member having a first and second opening; said first rotary planar member having a projecting operator secured thereto and in engagement with said first opening of said translating planar member; said translating and rotary planar members in respective parallel relationship; said second opening of said translating planar member engageable with a switching device handle having straight line motion; said translating planar member being ositioned to have its motion governed and limited to straight line linear motion within its plane by said housing and an external surface of a switching device; a plurality of planar lugs connecting said rotary planar members to said rotatively movable operating handle; said rotatably movable operating handle being planar and shaped to engage cooperating openings of said lugs, said lugs being secured to said intercoupler by planar braces and all of said adapter unit planar parts being stamped from sheet material.

9; An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion; said adapter unit composed of a housing, a motion intercoupler, and, a rotatably movable operating handle; said housing containing means for rigidly securing said adapter unit directly to an external surface of a switching device having an ON and OFF position; said motion interooupler containing, a first, second and third rotary planar members, and a translating planar member; said first rotary planar member rotatively mounted to said housing; said rotatably movable operating handle connected to said second rotary planar member; said third rotary planar member positioned to maintain the rotating parts of said intercoupler within a first opening of said housing to form a subassembly; said translating planar member having a first and second opening; said first opening being elongated; said first rotary planar member having a projecting operator secured thereto; oliset from its center and in engagement with said first opening of said translating planar member; said translating and rotary planar members in respective parallel relationship; said second opening of said translating planar member engageable with a switching device handle having straight line motion; said first opening of said translating planar member having a first and second location relative to said rotary planar members corresponding to right and left handed operation of said rotary movable operating handle; said first and second locations accompanied by a rotation of said subassembly, while maintaining its mounting to said housing; said translating planar member being positioned to have its motion governed and limited to straight line linear motion within its plane by said housing and an external surface of a switching device; and a plurality of planar lugs connecting said rotary planar members to said rotatively movable operating handle.

10. An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion; said adapter unit composed of a housing, a motion intercoupler, and, a rotatably movable operating handle; said housing containing means fior rigidly securing said adapter unit directly to an external surface of a switching device having an ON and OFF positron; said motion intercoupler containing, a first, second and third rotary planar members, and a translating planar tember; said first rotary planar member being rotatively mounted to said housing; said rotatably movable operating handle connected to said second rotary planar member; said third rotary planar member positioned to maintam the rotating parts of said intercoupler within a first opening of said housing to form a subassembly; said translating planar member having a first and second opening; said first opening being elongated; said first rotary planar member having a projecting operator secured thereto, offset from its center, and in engagement with said first opening of said translating planar member; said translating and rotary planar members in respective parallel relationship; said second opening of said translating planar member engageable with a switching device handle having straight line motion; said first opening of said translating planar member having a first and second location relative to said rotary planar members, corresponding to right and left handed operation of said rotary movable operating handle; said first and second locations accompanied by a rotation of said subassembly, while maintaining its mounting to said housing; said housing containing means operatively positioned with respect to markings on at least one of said rotary planar members to indicate said right .or left handed operation and the ON or OFF position of a switching device; said translating planar member being positioned to have its motion governed and limited to straight line linear motion Within its plane by said housing and an external surface of a switching device; and a plurality of planar lugs fixedly connecting said rotary planar members to said rotatively movable operating handle, having an ON and OFF position.

11. An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion; said adapter unit composed of a housing, a motion intercoupler, and, a rotatably movable operating handle; said housing being adapted to be rigidly secured to an external surface of a switching device having an ON nd OFF position; said motion intercoupler containing, a first, second and third rotary planar member, and a translating planar member; said first rotary planar member rotatively mounted to said housing; said rotatably movable operating handle connected to said second rotary planar member; said third rotary planar member being positioned to maintain the rotating parts of said intercoupler Within a first opening of said housing; said translating planar member having a first and second opening; said first opening being elongated, said first rotary lanar member having a projecting operator secured thereto oifset from its center and in engagement With said first opening of said translating planar member; said translating and rotary planar members in respective parallel relationship; said second opening of said translating planar member engageable with a switching device handle having straight line motion; said first opening of said translating planar member having a first and second location corre sponding to right and left handed operation of said rotary movable operating handle; said translating planar member being positioned to have its motion governed and limited to straight line linear motion within its plane by said housing and an external surface of a switching device; a plurality of planar lugs connecting said rotary planar members to said rotatively movable operating handle; said lugs secured to said intercoupler by planar braces; said rotatably movable operating handle secured to said cooperating lug openings by a single spring, thereby eliminating screws to the assembly of said adapter unit; and all of said planar parts being of substantially the same thickness and stamped from a single sheet of material.

12. An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion; said adapter unit composed of a housing, a motion intercoupler, and a rotatably movable operating handle; said housing being adapted to be rigidly secured to an external surface of a switching device; said motion intercoupler containing first and second rotary planar members, and a translating planar member; said first rotary planar member rotatively mounted to said housing; said rotatably movable operating handle connected to said second rotary planar member; said translating planar member having a first and second opening; said first rotary planar member having a projecting operator secured thereto and in engagement with said first opening of said translating planar member; said trans lating and rotary planar members in respective parallel relationship; said second opening of said translating planar member engageable with a switching device handle having straight line motion; said translating planar member being positioned to have its motion governed and limited to straight line linear motion within its plane by said housing and an external surface of a switching device; a plurality of planar lugs connecting said rotary planar members to said rotatively movable operating handle; said handle having a first position and a second position; said first position being generally perpendicular to said trans lating and rotary members; said second position being generally parallel to said translating and rotary members; and said rotatably movable operating handle being planar and shaped to engage cooperating openings of said lugs.

13. An adapter unit for translating rotating motion to straight line motion; said adapter unit composed of a housing, a motion intercoupler and a rotatably movable operating handle; said housing being adapted to be rigidly secured to an external surface of a switching device; said motion intercoupler containing first, second and third rotary planar members, and a translating planar member; said first rotary planar member rotatively mounted to said housing; said rotatably movable operating handle connected to said second rotary planar member; said third rotary planar member positioned to maintain. the rotating parts of said intercoupler within a first opening of said housing; said translating planar member having a first and second opening; said first rotary planar member having a projecting operator secured thereto and in engagement with said first opening of said translating planar member; said translating and rotary planar members in respective parallal relationship; said second opening of said translating planar member being positioned to engage a switching device handle having straight line motion; said translating planar member being positioned to have its motion governed and limited to straight line linear motion within its plane by said housing and an external surface of a switching device; a plurality of planar lugs connecting said rotary planar members to said rotatively movable operating handle; said lugs projecting from said first rotary planar member to bear against said translating member; said rotatably movable operating handle being planar and shaped to engage cooperating openings, of said lugs; said lugs secured to said intercoupler by planar braces; said handle having a first position and a second position; said first position being generally perpendicular to said translating and rotary members; said second position being generally parallel to said translating and rotary members; and said rotatably movable operating handle secured to said cooperating lug openings at said first and second positions by a single spring, thereby eliminating screws in the assembly of said adapter unit.

References ited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,213,657 9/46 Rowe 200-172 2,610,272 9/52 Platz 200-472 2,961,501 11/60 Piteo 200--l72 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner. 

1. AN ADAPTER UNIT FOR TRANSLATING ROTATING MOTION TO STRAIGHT LINE MOTION; SAID ADAPTER UNIT COMPOSED OF A HOUSING, A MOTION INTERCOUPLER, AND, A ROTATABLY MOVABLE OPERATING HANDLE; SAID HOUSING CONTAINING MEANS FOR RIGIDLY SECURING SAID ADAPTER UNIT DIRECTLY TO AN EXTERNAL SURFACE OF A SWITCHING DEVICE; SAID MOTION INTERCOUPLER CONTAINING FIRST AND SECOND ROTARY PLANAR MEMBERS, AND A TRANSLATING PLANAR MEMBER, SAID FIRST ROTARY PLANAR MEMBER ROTATIVELY MOUNTED TO SAID HOUSING; SAID ROTATABLY MOVABLE OPERATING HANDLE CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND ROTARY PLANR MEMBER; SAID TRANSLATING PLANAR MEMBER HAVING A FIRST AND SECOND OPENING; SAID FIRST ROTARY PLANAR MEMBER HAVING A PROJECTING OPERATOR SECURED THERETO AND IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIRST OPENING OF SAID TRANSLATING PLANAR MEMBER; SAID TRANSLATING AND ROTARY PLANAR MEMBERS IN RESPECTIVE PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP; SAID SECOND OPENING OF SAID TRANSLATING PLANAR MEMBER ENGAGEABLE WITH A SWITCHING DEVICE HANDLE HAVING STRAIGHT LINE MOTION; SAID TRANSLATING PLANAR MEMBER BEING POSITIONED TO HAVE ITS MOTION GOVERNED AND LIMITED TO STRAIGHT LINE LINEAR MOTION WITHIN ITS PLANE BY SAID HOUSING AND AN EXTERNAL SURFACE OF A SWITCHING DEVICE; AND A PLURLAITY OF PLANAR LUGS CONNECTING SAID ROTARY PLANAR MEMBERS TO SAID ROTATIVELY MOVABLE OPERATING HANDLE. 